Hybrid Senior Manager, Communications

at Graco

• Job title: Senior Manager, Communications
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: $111,100 - $194,400 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Minneapolis, United States

About the role

• Senior Manager in Communications at Graco, influencing brand awareness and corporate reputation. Leading internal and external communications strategies to support business growth and employee engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop Enterprise & Corporate Communications
• Manage the internal and external communications teams to develop and implement integrated communications plans that align with enterprise goals, go-to-market plans, organizational transformation, and brand reputation.
• Lead enterprise change communications and support M&A communications throughout announcements and integration.
• Strengthen Graco’s corporate brand and reputation platforms, including innovation, performance, social responsibility, workplace, and leadership visibility.
• Provide counsel and create messaging, talking points, Q&As, organizational updates, and executive communications for key enterprise initiatives.
• Build and manage media relationships across business, trade, and mainstream outlets.
• Develop and communicate a compelling corporate narrative and visual storytelling aligned with Graco’s key business verticals and customers.
• Oversee the content strategy, governance, and messaging for the corporate website, intranet, corporate blog, newsroom, and corporate social media channels.
• Support high quality multimedia content, including executive videos and storytelling.
• Support Annual Report production and ESG Report production.
• Manage Internal Communications & Employee Engagement
• Lead the global internal communications team and channels, ensuring consistent, clear, and engaging communication across the organization.
• Improve communications and engagement for manufacturing and production employees using channels such as signage, frontline leader toolkits, and mobile optimized formats.
• Maintain the corporate editorial calendar to reflect enterprise priorities and major initiatives to ensure employees have the information needed to excel in their roles.
• Implement new internal communication systems, tools, and processes to improve employee experience and engage a global workforce.
• Oversee Marketing Communications & Thought Leadership
• Develop strategic public relations plans with marketing teams to drive business growth as part of the annual business planning process.
• Support go-to-market product campaigns and promotions as part of an integrated marketing strategy with public relations planning, execution and measurement.
• Lead team in building earned and paid media relationships across business, trade, and mainstream outlets.
• Advise marketing teams in development of compelling thought leadership platforms aligned with key business verticals and customer needs.
• Team Leadership, Collaboration & Culture Building
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high performing communications team, fostering strategic growth and accountability.
• Build strong cross functional partnerships to ensure cohesive, aligned communication across the enterprise.
• Balance strategic planning with timely execution across internal and external communication needs.
• Measurement, Reporting & Best Practices
• Establish, measure and present quarterly KPIs for communications effectiveness, including awareness, engagement, sentiment, trust, and reputation.
• Apply best practices, emerging trends, and modern tools, including AI, to enhance communication impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
• 8–10+ years of progressive communications experience, including at least 4 years leading teams in a global, matrixed organization.
• Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise wide communications strategies supporting major business initiatives.
• Strong business acumen and ability to align communications with strategy.
• Demonstrated experience in reputation management, and executive visibility.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex topics into clear messaging.
• Experience leading communications for organizational change.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to counsel and influence senior leaders.
• Demonstrated capability in developing teams and driving high performance.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive communications.
• Willingness to travel up to 15%.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• stock purchase plan
• 401(k)
• tuition reimbursement